Recharging/Traffic Problem with Garmin StreetPilot 550

I have had the Garmin StreetPilot 550 for about a year and have had no problems with it. Recently, it was placed in the glove compartment and not used for about a month. Now it looks like the cable is not working. When I plug the Garmin into the cigarette lighter port it no longer automatically turns on or off. I have to manually turn it on or off. In addition, it doesn't appear to be receiving any traffic information. One of the green lights on the cable is on (the one closest to the socket) but the other one is not. Before, both lights were lit. It also appears that it is always on the battery, since it doesn't recharge. If I plug the device into a USB port on my computer, the device recharges. So, it appears that everything from the Garmin side is working, but nothing is coming down the cable. Am I correct? What can I do to troubleshoot before buying a new cable?

I've already tried it on both of my cars and in both of the outlets on each car. Same problem. I've tried wiggling it, but it doesn't do anything.I've already tried it on both of my cars and in both of the outlets on each car. Same problem. I've tried wiggling it, but it doesn't do anything.

The problem is the power cable of the GPS its is not taking the power from the lighter socket in the car as this could with faulty cable you need buy new cable some times there could be a short if the cable is not fixed properly this could damage the system you need to buy a cable but make sure you take device and check the if it works in the new cable if it does not the you need to service the system as the input power port be defective................

You can test the other end of the cable to see indeed if there is power coming from it. You can do this with a meter or an electronics store should be able to help you with this most likely for free, if the cable turns out to be fine, then there is mostly a poor connection from the cable to the device where it plugs into the garmin or there is a loose or broken connection within the device if the above are all fine. Let me know if you have any further questions and I would be glad to answer them

Try and wiggle the cable where it connects to the GPS. The cause could be 2 issues. A loose connection at the GPS where the cable plugs in or a loose connection at the cigarrette lighter. You can try wiggling the cable at the cigarrette lighter outlet and see if it tries to charge also. Try it on another cigarrette lighter from another car just to be safe and see if that helps. If you are still not recieving any charge try contacting Garmin because it may still be under warranty. Alot of Garmin's GPS systems have a 3 to 5 year warranty. If you have any other questions let me know. Keep me posted on how this works out.

Initially, you would need a DVM (voltmeter) to check if there is an output from the cigarette lighter adapter/charger. Your post "...green lights on cable is on (the one closest to the socket)..." indicates that there is 12VDC coming in (from your car) but "...the other one is not..." signifies that the adapter is not processing the incoming 12VDC and forward it to your Garmin StreetPilot 550. With the DVM, you can measure the output B+ (which should be something like +5VDC) which is also the output voltage of your computer's USB port.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

If I may add, considering that the repairs involve a fair familiarity with electronic circuitry and components, extensive use of the DVM in circuit analysis and possible a soldering iron to replace components, it may be to your advantage to simply purchase a replacement. Initially, you can try sourcing here, here, here or here.

Hi again,

If I may add, considering that the repairs involve a fair familiarity with electronic circuitry and components, extensive use of the DVM in circuit analysis and possible a soldering iron to replace components, it may be to your advantage to simply purchase a replacement. Initially, you can try sourcing here, here, here or here.

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The first solution is, of course, to try recharging your Streetpilot III by plugging it in to either your accessory outlet (cigarette lighter) in your car.......or a USB port on your PC. (preferably a USB2 outlet that has a higher power output).

Try charging for at least an hour with the 'other' cord, if the unit won't power up after using the 'first' one.

If the unit STILL won't power up after charging with BOTH cords (for an hour each), then either open the unit and replace the battery, or, sorry....if you're mechanically/electrically challenged......you're best to send your unit in to Garmin for repair, because it could be any number of different problems.

I'm not familiar with the Zumo family of GPS from Garmin, but if they are similar enough to the StreetPilot, you should be able to recalibrate the screen. In the StreetPilot series, to recalibrate you turn the unit off. Press and hold the bottom right of the screen and turn the unit on. Keep pressing the screen until the calibration information begins. Try this, see if it works on the Zumos, too.

The batteries on the units are not meant to be serviced by the unit. If you are not familiar with taking it apart, you may damage internal components in trying. If the unit needs service, it is best to return it to Garmin and let them take care of the repairs. As far as the battery not holding the charge, if you have not done so, charge the unit on the computer for a few hours. This sometimes helps.